May 28, 2022

Students of Rochas Foundation College in Sokoto state have appealed to the authorities to free the founder of the College, Sen. Rochas Okorocha.

They made the appeal during the celebration of this year’s International Children’s Day organised by the school, on Friday, in Sokoto.

Appeal for Okorocha’s release dominated this year’s Children’s Day celebration in the college, showcasing that the founder had made impacts in their lives.

Yusuf Muhammad, Senior Secondary 2 student, said Okorocha, who was recently arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was a good and visionary father.

Muhammad noted that keeping the founder in custody beyond 48 hours had breached his fundamental human rights.

The school head girl, Faiziya Usman, said that she, along with many less privileged children, had no opportunity to attend formal school until Okorocha rescued them by enrolling them in the college.

Other students, Zainab Imam and Chinaza Gift-Euro expressed concern that keeping the founder of their college behind bars for too long will affect their educational pursuits.

They explained that majority of the students whose only hope of acquiring education was through the free education offered by the Rochas foundation college, might be endangered.

Okorocha was accused of alleged corruption that led to his arrest by EFCC.

The theme of this year’s International Children’s Day is, ‘Investing in our future means investing in our children’.

May 27 is a national day set aside by the UN to recognise and celebrate children all over the world.

The event featured drama, dance and songs presentation by the students, led by the school principal, Mr David Adejo, with other teachers. (NAN)